Profession Class of 2011

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was 60 when I entered.

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did not come from a strong religiously-oriented family. They, and my friends were not too excited about my decision. Fortunately, my family and friends now see the freedom in and goodness of myvocation, unlike the negative stereotypic images they held in their minds.

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was a postulant for two years in the Love of Holy Cross community in Vietnam. In 1995, I came to the United States with my family. After six months, I participated in a "Come and See" at the Missionaries of Charity religious community in New York. In 1999, I entered the Vietnamese Dominican Sisters. Thanks be to God.

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spent ten years away from the Church (late teens through late 20s) during which time I considered myself an "ex-Catholic" agnostic. I was still involved in volunteer work and community service, but “something” was missing. That “something” was my faith and faith community. Coming back to the Church in my late 20s, I found the place where I am best able to work for peace and justice. A few years later, when I decided to enter religious life, even my non-Catholic friends could see that it made sense. It is as a Sister of St. Joseph of Peace that I am most "me"--the me God created me to be!

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grew up as a Quaker and taught at a Quaker boarding school. I first met Catholic sisters when studying Spanish in Mexico.

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enjoy playing soccer and was a goalkeeper in high school. I also worked for several years at McDonalds.

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do not feel worthy of this calling, but I am made by God and for God. I trust in His love.

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am very happy to be living as a consecrated person.

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first thought about being a sister when I was 11 years old, but did not tell my family until my second year of college because I didn't think they'd believe me.

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am a professional translator and a border woman. I danced professionally before entering religious life, and I enjoy doing road bike marathons.

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had wanted to be married and have many children.

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had never considered religious life before I began volunteering for Little Sisters of the Poor at the age of 13. A friend of mine, whose grandmother was a resident in the home, invited me to come with her to complete my required service hours. I acccepted reluctently but found therein my vocation and the joy of my life!

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lived and worked in casinos in Las Vegas, NV.

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had planned to have my own family and had the same dreams that many young adults have. God's plan sometimes is completely different from ours and his plan is always for our own good and happiness. I had desired a small family but God granted me a much bigger family. Becoming a religious I did not loose the privilege of motherhood; indeed, I can have many children by my spiritual motherhood. Moreover, as a Missionary Sister of Saint Peter Claver I can bring souls to Our Lord Jesus without going to the missions. If I ever need to make a choice again, I would make the same choice - Religious Life.

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was not a "typical" candidate to the religious life. I say this because growing up I raced dirt bikes, BMX bikes, took tae-kwon-do classes, and raced snowmobiles. Sports were my passion, but God quickly taught me that my true passion was to aspire after a greater Prize which will never fade, like St. Paul encourages us.

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entered my community a little more than six months after meeting the sisters for the first time. Even though it took me awhile to publicly admit that I had a vocation, I knew in my heart as soon as I walked into St. Cecilia's Chapel that this was going to be my new home.

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attended Franciscan University of Steubenville for one year. There I realized that as happy as I would be as a married woman and a mother, my heart would never be fully satisfied unless it belonged entirely to Christ. I entered the convent after my freshman year of college.

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wanted to be a Brother in a clerical institute. Although I was taught by and worked with Jesuit priests and admired them, I was attracted more to the work and community life than to the priesthood. Reflecting on my life, being a Brother made the most sense of God's call to me.

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worked for nearly 20 years as a newspaper editor and reporter before becoming a Benedictine monk.